Libethenite is a rare copper phosphate mineral that typically forms attractive olive-green prismatic crystals in the oxidation zones of copper mines. It is highly valued by collectors for its sharp, well-defined orthorhombic crystal habits and vibrant color. Often found as drusy coatings or small crystalline sprays, it is easily confused with the arsenic-bearing mineral olivenite.
Is this libethenite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch libethenite with a known reference. Libethenite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Libethenite leaves a pale green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Libethenite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, olive green, blackish green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: short prismatic crystals, globular, reniform, or drusy aggregates.
Often confused with
Libethenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Libethenite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 3); streak differs — Libethenite leaves pale green, Olivenite leaves olive-green; luster reads vitreous on Libethenite and adamantine on Olivenite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Libethenite leaves pale green, Pseudomalachite leaves light green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Libethenite leaves pale green, Adamite leaves white.
Often found alongside libethenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with libethenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₂PO₄OH
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.9-4.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Short Prismatic Crystals, Globular, Reniform, Or Drusy Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for thumbnail to small cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find libethenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lubietova, Slovakia
- Katanga Province, DR Congo
- Cornwall, England
- Utah, USA
- Chile
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized copper deposits country — that is the host setting where libethenite typically forms. If you start seeing malachite, azurite, limonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a short prismatic crystals, globular, reniform, or drusy aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find libethenite on the map
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